The Gifts of Security and Abundance in RecoveryThe Gifts of Security and Abundance in Recovery
Life Recovery Today with Stephen Arterburn
Stephen Arterburn talks about security and abundance as key gifts that arise from faith-based 12-step recovery. He links scripture, character, boundaries and a JOY-focused life to building a safer, richer experience of sobriety.
28:34•2 Nov 2026
Finding Security and Abundance in Faith-Based Recovery
Episode Overview
- Working the 12 steps and living a godly life builds character, which Stephen identifies as the core source of real security.
- Security in recovery includes setting clear boundaries and refusing to enable unhealthy or abusive behaviour.
- Responsive living, focused on God rather than reacting to others, helps remove emotional "buttons" that leave people vulnerable.
- Abundant life is framed as moving from scarcity and fear to gratitude, purpose, peace and rich relationships through Christ.
- Practising JOY—Jesus first, others second, yourself third—supports an abundance mindset and keeps God as the true higher power.
“Recovery isn't just about what you're giving up. It's about who you're becoming.”
What drives someone to seek a life without alcohol? This episode of *Life Recovery Today with Stephen Arterburn* leans into that question by focusing on two "gifts" that emerge from working a biblical 12-step programme: security and abundance. Stephen Arterburn talks candidly about the insecurity that comes with addiction, depression, raging anger and deep shame.
You’ll hear how entering recovery, working the steps and building character with God’s help can shift life from chaos to a sense of safety and steadiness. For Stephen, "character really is, with God's help, the source of my security," and that security shows up in practical ways like healthy boundaries, refusing to enable harmful behaviour, and doing "the next right thing" regardless of the consequences.
The conversation then moves to abundance, described as a "full and rich" life rooted in a relationship with Jesus Christ rather than a mindset of scarcity. Drawing on passages such as John 10:10 and Philippians 4:19, Stephen contrasts clinging fearfully to what you have with living freely, grateful for God’s "glorious riches" like peace of mind, purpose, and redemptive connections with others.
Stephen also breaks down a simple framework for living abundantly using the word JOY: Jesus first, others second, yourself third. He links this to letting God be your true higher power, rather than ego, culture or other people. Shame and bitterness are highlighted as major blockers to abundance, with Ephesians 4:31 offered as a call to "get rid of all bitterness" so that life can be filled with the Holy Spirit instead of grudges.
The style is warm, pastoral and straightforward, aimed at people in recovery who want to integrate faith with the 12 steps, whether they’re struggling with substances, mood issues, or destructive patterns. It’s particularly suited if you’re wondering what a secure, abundant life in recovery could look like day to day. Could these two gifts be the next milestones in your own journey?
Do you want to link to this podcast?
Get the buttons here!
More From This Show
The latest episodes from the same podcast.